212 project match.enable-intercom Home Design Ideas, Pictures and Inspiration
This project will also be featured on the 2011 Outdoor Living Tour, May 21st. Tickets and info may be found here: http://outdoorlivingtouraustin.com/
The owners of this central city project originally parked on a concrete pad and entered their home through a gate and small entry courtyard. They wanted to enlarge the courtyard and add a carport for security, all while adding to the home’s curb appeal. Avid birdwatchers and gardeners, they also wanted to add a screened porch on the back of the home, adjacent to their extensive naturalized gardens and sculptural fountain.
The original entry courtyard walls were removed: one was rebuilt at the property line to enlarge the space, while another was replaced by the walls of the new Ipe-clad carport. From the driveway, the carport is entered through a metal-clad sectional garage door (for security). Pedestrian access from the carport to the entry courtyard is through a metal-clad rolling barn door. The street side of the courtyard is enclosed by an Ipe fence. Its basket weave steel gate (with doorbell and intercom) provides privacy and security, and is complemented by the decorative copper light fixtures and copper downspouts on the carport.
At the street, Ipe fence panels and entry arbor add to the curb appeal and provide support for climbing plants. The new front yard features a native buffalo grass lawn and new low water plantings.
On the back of the home, new screened porches were added to extend living and dining outdoors for all four seasons. These new spaces are designed to maximize the views of the garden and birds in flight. A 3-panel folding ‘Nana’ window opens the kitchen to the additions and the natural light and views of the yard, while facilitating pass-through access to the dining area. Interior details include decorative sconces, copper gutter cove lighting, an integrated sound system and custom-designed end tables. Cypress ceilings add a lighter color and touch with a natural flavor and contrast with the stained concrete floor. Exterior details include copper rain chains and steel planter boxes. Outside the porches, drill stem pipes and a lawn define another outdoor room that is open to the sky; the pipes support LED twinkle lights that further define the room and animate it after dark.
Expert craftsmanship is seen in the use of wood throughout the project. A dense wood, Ipe was chosen for its warmth and durability, and was used both as siding and decorative trim for the interior and exterior wall surfaces. The porch wall screens were built with aluminum frames and are removable for ease of cleaning. Custom designed screen doors with flower motifs complete the project.
The end result of the design is a series of outdoor spaces that facilitate connection with nature. The owners have already seeded the garden for a bounty of spring wildflowers and are planning to install a small orchard. Central city living at its best!
Architect: Gregory Thomas AIA
Project Manager: Jim Venable
Photography by Jonathan Jackson, 2011
This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income.
DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request.
MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic.
RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income.
ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them.
URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances.
OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values.
Eric Roth Photo
Beverly Hills, CA - Mediterranean garden gates can make an exceptional landscaping accessory that not only blends in with the exterior architectural essence of your home but can offer security with access control. Making your home secure can be done swiftly and beautifully with Dynamic Garage Door's custom made gates in practically any style like this Beverly Hills side entry gate. The hand-forged scrolling is secure yet aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its swiftly scrolled iron work. Using a wooden frame around the perimeter of the gate softens the iron and stone work in this landscaping setting. For this particular project we matched the entry gate with the custom Mediterranean Garage Door which we also designed, built and installed at this Beverly Hills, CA home on Ferrari Drive.
Nice ironwork of door - duangjai_tivasuradej
The unique opportunity and challenge for the Joshua Tree project was to enable the architecture to prioritize views. Set in the valley between Mummy and Camelback mountains, two iconic landforms located in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this lot “has it all” regarding views. The challenge was answered with what we refer to as the desert pavilion.
This highly penetrated piece of architecture carefully maintains a one-room deep composition. This allows each space to leverage the majestic mountain views. The material palette is executed in a panelized massing composition. The home, spawned from mid-century modern DNA, opens seamlessly to exterior living spaces providing for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living.
Project Details:
Architecture: Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ // C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB // www.drewettworks.com
Builder: Bedbrock Developers, Paradise Valley, AZ // http://www.bedbrock.com
Interior Designer: Est Est, Scottsdale, AZ // http://www.estestinc.com
Photographer: Michael Duerinckx, Phoenix, AZ // www.inckx.com
London terrazzo expert, Diespeker & Co achieved innovative design solutions for flooring and stairs during a recent refurbishment of a Mayfair boutique for fashion brand J&M Davidson.
Working with the project architects, Barber and Osgerby’s Universal Design Studio, the company developed new skills resulting in the seamless matching of cement-based and resin-based terrazzo on both timber and concrete substrates.
From the start, the architects were keen to work with muted colours for a calming, neutral ambience, opting for a bespoke resin based terrazzo without joints in grey and cream, using 5-8mm Italian marble chippings White Carrara, Rosso Verona and Dove Grey, resulting in an elegant and subtle floor.
The overall desired effect for the terrazzo element of the project was a seamless flow. To achieve this, the resin was used as a decorative finish on both concrete and timber substrates. This resulted in a continuous transition from the resin based floor in the basement to the timber framed landing in resin, then the concrete terrazzo cantilevered stairs leading to the timber floor on ground level, also with a resin based terrazzo.
The additional challenge of the project was the production of the stair themselves, as these needed to have an identical finish to the floor. The initial solution was to mould the stairs in cement-based terrazzo and coat them in resin to match the floor. This was deemed too great a challenge as the technique for pouring resin on to vertical surfaces had not yet been perfected, although since the completion of the project further trials have been successful.
Instead, the Diespeker team decided to attempt to match the resin-based flooring with cement based terrazzo. This was cast using the same aggregate as the resin, and highly ground and polished. The resulting finish in cement reflected almost perfectly the finish of the floor in resin.
A further design feature required a complicated brass nosing detail to the treads. When each stair had been cast, Diespeker’s CNC was utilised to cut two grooves on each tread, connected at both ends with a half circle. 10 x 20mm brass strips were set into the groove as a continuous loop. The look of the impressive cantilevered stairs was enhanced by a subtle, leather wrapped handrail.
The whole endeavour required extraordinarily high production values, and impressed by the results, the client proceeded to commission three-dimensional plinths and countertops also created from the resin based terrazzo mix.
Diespeker MD, John Krause, said: “This ‘mix and match’ capacity opens up a whole new world of possibilities for our clients wanting a bespoke look for flooring, stairs and displays. Being able to match resin based and cement based terrazzo, and use resin on timber floors seamlessly with either resin or cement based terrazzo on concrete floors means we are in a position to offer almost limitless applications for flooring.
“For architects, this enables continuity in design, without having to compromise on straightforward maintenance and durability.”
The installation team was on site in Mayfair for four weeks.
London terrazzo expert, Diespeker & Co achieved innovative design solutions for flooring and stairs during a recent refurbishment of a Mayfair boutique for fashion brand J&M Davidson.
Working with the project architects, Barber and Osgerby’s Universal Design Studio, the company developed new skills resulting in the seamless matching of cement-based and resin-based terrazzo on both timber and concrete substrates.
From the start, the architects were keen to work with muted colours for a calming, neutral ambience, opting for a bespoke resin based terrazzo without joints in grey and cream, using 5-8mm Italian marble chippings White Carrara, Rosso Verona and Dove Grey, resulting in an elegant and subtle floor.
The overall desired effect for the terrazzo element of the project was a seamless flow. To achieve this, the resin was used as a decorative finish on both concrete and timber substrates. This resulted in a continuous transition from the resin based floor in the basement to the timber framed landing in resin, then the concrete terrazzo cantilevered stairs leading to the timber floor on ground level, also with a resin based terrazzo.
The additional challenge of the project was the production of the stair themselves, as these needed to have an identical finish to the floor. The initial solution was to mould the stairs in cement-based terrazzo and coat them in resin to match the floor. This was deemed too great a challenge as the technique for pouring resin on to vertical surfaces had not yet been perfected, although since the completion of the project further trials have been successful.
Instead, the Diespeker team decided to attempt to match the resin-based flooring with cement based terrazzo. This was cast using the same aggregate as the resin, and highly ground and polished. The resulting finish in cement reflected almost perfectly the finish of the floor in resin.
A further design feature required a complicated brass nosing detail to the treads. When each stair had been cast, Diespeker’s CNC was utilised to cut two grooves on each tread, connected at both ends with a half circle. 10 x 20mm brass strips were set into the groove as a continuous loop. The look of the impressive cantilevered stairs was enhanced by a subtle, leather wrapped handrail.
The whole endeavour required extraordinarily high production values, and impressed by the results, the client proceeded to commission three-dimensional plinths and countertops also created from the resin based terrazzo mix.
Diespeker MD, John Krause, said: “This ‘mix and match’ capacity opens up a whole new world of possibilities for our clients wanting a bespoke look for flooring, stairs and displays. Being able to match resin based and cement based terrazzo, and use resin on timber floors seamlessly with either resin or cement based terrazzo on concrete floors means we are in a position to offer almost limitless applications for flooring.
“For architects, this enables continuity in design, without having to compromise on straightforward maintenance and durability.”
The installation team was on site in Mayfair for four weeks.
London terrazzo expert, Diespeker & Co achieved innovative design solutions for flooring and stairs during a recent refurbishment of a Mayfair boutique for fashion brand J&M Davidson.
Working with the project architects, Barber and Osgerby’s Universal Design Studio, the company developed new skills resulting in the seamless matching of cement-based and resin-based terrazzo on both timber and concrete substrates.
From the start, the architects were keen to work with muted colours for a calming, neutral ambience, opting for a bespoke resin based terrazzo without joints in grey and cream, using 5-8mm Italian marble chippings White Carrara, Rosso Verona and Dove Grey, resulting in an elegant and subtle floor.
The overall desired effect for the terrazzo element of the project was a seamless flow. To achieve this, the resin was used as a decorative finish on both concrete and timber substrates. This resulted in a continuous transition from the resin based floor in the basement to the timber framed landing in resin, then the concrete terrazzo cantilevered stairs leading to the timber floor on ground level, also with a resin based terrazzo.
The additional challenge of the project was the production of the stair themselves, as these needed to have an identical finish to the floor. The initial solution was to mould the stairs in cement-based terrazzo and coat them in resin to match the floor. This was deemed too great a challenge as the technique for pouring resin on to vertical surfaces had not yet been perfected, although since the completion of the project further trials have been successful.
Instead, the Diespeker team decided to attempt to match the resin-based flooring with cement based terrazzo. This was cast using the same aggregate as the resin, and highly ground and polished. The resulting finish in cement reflected almost perfectly the finish of the floor in resin.
A further design feature required a complicated brass nosing detail to the treads. When each stair had been cast, Diespeker’s CNC was utilised to cut two grooves on each tread, connected at both ends with a half circle. 10 x 20mm brass strips were set into the groove as a continuous loop. The look of the impressive cantilevered stairs was enhanced by a subtle, leather wrapped handrail.
The whole endeavour required extraordinarily high production values, and impressed by the results, the client proceeded to commission three-dimensional plinths and countertops also created from the resin based terrazzo mix.
Diespeker MD, John Krause, said: “This ‘mix and match’ capacity opens up a whole new world of possibilities for our clients wanting a bespoke look for flooring, stairs and displays. Being able to match resin based and cement based terrazzo, and use resin on timber floors seamlessly with either resin or cement based terrazzo on concrete floors means we are in a position to offer almost limitless applications for flooring.
“For architects, this enables continuity in design, without having to compromise on straightforward maintenance and durability.”
The installation team was on site in Mayfair for four weeks.
London terrazzo expert, Diespeker & Co achieved innovative design solutions for flooring and stairs during a recent refurbishment of a Mayfair boutique for fashion brand J&M Davidson.
Working with the project architects, Barber and Osgerby’s Universal Design Studio, the company developed new skills resulting in the seamless matching of cement-based and resin-based terrazzo on both timber and concrete substrates.
From the start, the architects were keen to work with muted colours for a calming, neutral ambience, opting for a bespoke resin based terrazzo without joints in grey and cream, using 5-8mm Italian marble chippings White Carrara, Rosso Verona and Dove Grey, resulting in an elegant and subtle floor.
The overall desired effect for the terrazzo element of the project was a seamless flow. To achieve this, the resin was used as a decorative finish on both concrete and timber substrates. This resulted in a continuous transition from the resin based floor in the basement to the timber framed landing in resin, then the concrete terrazzo cantilevered stairs leading to the timber floor on ground level, also with a resin based terrazzo.
The additional challenge of the project was the production of the stair themselves, as these needed to have an identical finish to the floor. The initial solution was to mould the stairs in cement-based terrazzo and coat them in resin to match the floor. This was deemed too great a challenge as the technique for pouring resin on to vertical surfaces had not yet been perfected, although since the completion of the project further trials have been successful.
Instead, the Diespeker team decided to attempt to match the resin-based flooring with cement based terrazzo. This was cast using the same aggregate as the resin, and highly ground and polished. The resulting finish in cement reflected almost perfectly the finish of the floor in resin.
A further design feature required a complicated brass nosing detail to the treads. When each stair had been cast, Diespeker’s CNC was utilised to cut two grooves on each tread, connected at both ends with a half circle. 10 x 20mm brass strips were set into the groove as a continuous loop. The look of the impressive cantilevered stairs was enhanced by a subtle, leather wrapped handrail.
The whole endeavour required extraordinarily high production values, and impressed by the results, the client proceeded to commission three-dimensional plinths and countertops also created from the resin based terrazzo mix.
Diespeker MD, John Krause, said: “This ‘mix and match’ capacity opens up a whole new world of possibilities for our clients wanting a bespoke look for flooring, stairs and displays. Being able to match resin based and cement based terrazzo, and use resin on timber floors seamlessly with either resin or cement based terrazzo on concrete floors means we are in a position to offer almost limitless applications for flooring.
“For architects, this enables continuity in design, without having to compromise on straightforward maintenance and durability.”
The installation team was on site in Mayfair for four weeks.
Designed and built by Pacific Peninsula Group.
Custom made vanities in the Master Bathroom.
Photography by Dave Edwards.
Photo of a contemporary bathroom in San Francisco with shaker cabinets.
Ambiente designer Tiffany Aweeka worked with her client on this landscaping project that required a large format tile that extended beyond an existing patio. Not only did it need to match up with the patio material, it also needed to perform well in the landscape and install like a paver. ARTO's Roman pavers offered a variety of colors and finishes enabling Tiffany to find a match within the standard color-way and deliver the job within a short production run.
Materials used:
Manufacturer: Arto, Tile: 18” x 24” x 2” Roman Paver, Color: Smoke, Finish: Smooth
Design & Installation: Rock Solid Landscaping LLC. http://rocksolidlandscapes.com
Ambiente designer Tiffany Aweeka worked with her client on this landscaping project that required a large format tile that extended beyond an existing patio. Not only did it need to match up with the patio material, it also needed to perform well in the landscape and install like a paver. ARTO's Roman pavers offered a variety of colors and finishes enabling Tiffany to find a match within the standard color-way and deliver the job within a short production run.
Materials used:
Manufacturer: Arto, Tile: 18” x 24” x 2” Roman Paver, Color: Smoke, Finish: Smooth
Design & Installation: Rock Solid Landscaping LLC. http://rocksolidlandscapes.com
Ambiente designer Tiffany Aweeka worked with her client on this landscaping project that required a large format tile that extended beyond an existing patio. Not only did it need to match up with the patio material, it also needed to perform well in the landscape and install like a paver. ARTO's Roman pavers offered a variety of colors and finishes enabling Tiffany to find a match within the standard color-way and deliver the job within a short production run.
Materials used:
Manufacturer: Arto, Tile: 18” x 24” x 2” Roman Paver, Color: Smoke, Finish: Smooth
Design & Installation: Rock Solid Landscaping LLC. http://rocksolidlandscapes.com
This room plays off a white backdrop against textures, recycled timbers and soft grey accessories. Add the faux fireplace and the room is made for sweet dreams!
Photography by Sue Murray - imagineit.net.au
Wall - inc new wood rather than aged - anton_bull
A Late 14th century distinctive, rural building with a Grade II listing. Our clients were working on internal renovations and extensions prior to the construction of the garden. When they approached Aralia they were requiring a contemporary garden to match the redeveloped interior rooms.
The family orientated space that we created in the courtyard, was only just a part of a larger garden, but was designed in order to become the more usable area for the family. Aralia used a clean, contemporary design, combined with more traditional references such as the pergola detailing, black metal edge details and the brickwork chosen.
This project included a complete re-model of the space into three separate terraces, with surrounding textual planting and specimen trees. Features of the design included a pleached hedge to enable privacy, bespoke fabricated oak and metal pergolas, and atmospheric lighting. Aralia connected the rest of the natural garden through sculpture landform to blend the contemporary and formal with the natural and informal. Other elements of this garden include a Yorkstone edged bed and instant box hedging to frame the views to the front of the property.
The place to inspire your kids decorating project
Choosing for the youngest in your family is made easy with our amazing selection of kids bedding, curtains and matching bedroom accessories. Our range of kid’s furniture is designed to grow as your kids grow! The clever system enables you to transform a first bed into a fun-packed mid-sleeper and then to a high sleeper or bunk bed!
superheroes use Lucas's pictures - penny_pescud
The place to inspire your kids decorating project
Choosing for the youngest in your family is made easy with our amazing selection of kids bedding, curtains and matching bedroom accessories. Our range of kid’s furniture is designed to grow as your kids grow! The clever system enables you to transform a first bed into a fun-packed mid-sleeper and then to a high sleeper or bunk bed!
butterfly - victor_najera43
We contracted with Chester County Kitchen and Bath (CCKAB) to completely renovate our master bathroom first, followed by a complete kitchen renovation and the building of a family room addition off the kitchen. John Noland, the VP at CCKAB for such project development, was simply fantastic. He spent many hours with us, discussing our ideas of what we wanted the house to look like, and then he produced outstanding overall technical designs for each project before we ever signed the contract. John used his design software to develop dramatic and really useful drawings and graphic depictions of each aspect of the different projects; these drawings enabled us to refine the different projects over several weeks. John's initial cost estimates were spot-on, as was his proposed project timeline. When we added major changes to the original designs, John worked with us and the general (sub)contractor to incorporate the changes to the overall project without bursting the budget or blowing the timeline. John's able deputy, Stacy Nass, was simply amazing as the Project Manager. She juggled the scheduling of subcontractors, suppliers, cabinetry, appliance installation, etc. with aplomb and professionalism, and it was principally due to her careful attention to detail that the projects ran so smoothly and finished on time. The technical expertise of John, Stacy, and the rest of the staff at CCKAB are matched by their warm interpersonal skills. Having heard all the horror stories from friends about contractors they've used for home projects, we consider ourselves fortunate to have hired the folks from Chester County Kitchen and Bath. In the end, we were so very impressed with the final results - John and Stacy and their many collaborators really did help us create our dream home.
We contracted with Chester County Kitchen and Bath (CCKAB) to completely renovate our master bathroom first, followed by a complete kitchen renovation and the building of a family room addition off the kitchen. John Noland, the VP at CCKAB for such project development, was simply fantastic. He spent many hours with us, discussing our ideas of what we wanted the house to look like, and then he produced outstanding overall technical designs for each project before we ever signed the contract. John used his design software to develop dramatic and really useful drawings and graphic depictions of each aspect of the different projects; these drawings enabled us to refine the different projects over several weeks. John's initial cost estimates were spot-on, as was his proposed project timeline. When we added major changes to the original designs, John worked with us and the general (sub)contractor to incorporate the changes to the overall project without bursting the budget or blowing the timeline. John's able deputy, Stacy Nass, was simply amazing as the Project Manager. She juggled the scheduling of subcontractors, suppliers, cabinetry, appliance installation, etc. with aplomb and professionalism, and it was principally due to her careful attention to detail that the projects ran so smoothly and finished on time. The technical expertise of John, Stacy, and the rest of the staff at CCKAB are matched by their warm interpersonal skills. Having heard all the horror stories from friends about contractors they've used for home projects, we consider ourselves fortunate to have hired the folks from Chester County Kitchen and Bath. In the end, we were so very impressed with the final results - John and Stacy and their many collaborators really did help us create our dream home.